FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to gas turbine engines, and in particular, combustor
and heat shield configurations for gas turbine engines.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Gas turbine engines are required to operate efficiently during operation and flight.
Theses engines create a tremendous amount of force and generate high levels of heat.
As such, components of these engines are subjected to high levels of stress, temperature
and pressure. It is necessary to provide combustor components that can withstand the
demands of high levels of heat, stress, temperature, and pressure during operation
of a gas turbine engine. It is also desirable to provide components with increased
operating longevity.
[0003] Hot section components of a gas turbine engine are exposed to high temperature levels
for prolonged periods of time. Thermal mechanical failure of a part can be detrimental
to an engines operation and in some cases may result in catastrophic harm. In many
cases, part failure to distress within the hot section requires replacement and in
some cases overhaul of an entire part or assembly. Thus, there is a desire to improve
tolerance of gas turbine engine parts and their ability to withstand operation in
the hot section.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0004] Disclosed and claimed herein are combustor and heat shield configurations for a gas
turbine engine. In one embodiment, a heat shield for a combustor of a gas turbine
engine includes a panel structure having a surface configured to face a combustor
cavity, the surface of the panel structure configured to receive cooling airflow,
and a dilution hole in the surface of the panel structure, the dilution hole to provide
airflow for the combustor cavity. The heat shield includes one or more effusion holes
downstream of the dilution hole, wherein the one or more effusion holes are configured
to restore cooling airflow to the surface of the panel structure downstream from dilution
hole.
[0005] In one embodiment, the panel structure is configured to be mounted downstream from
a second panel structure, the second panel structure arranged to provide a cooling
air film to the surface.
[0006] In one embodiment, the one or more effusion holes are located in one or more rows,
and wherein each row includes one or more effusion holes.
[0007] In one embodiment, the one or more effusion holes are located in one or more regions
following the dilution hole.
[0008] In one embodiment, the one or more effusion holes are formed with at least one of
a trumpet and cone shape.
[0009] In one embodiment, the one or more effusion holes include at least one pair of effusion
holes angled towards one another.
[0010] In one embodiment, the one or more effusion holes are formed with openings smaller
than an opening of the dilution hole.
[0011] In one embodiment, the heat shield includes one or more effusion holes along a trailing
edge of the panel structure and downstream of the dilution hole.
[0012] One embodiment is directed to a combustor for a gas turbine engine. The combustor
includes a combustor shell structure including a combustor cavity, and one or more
panels lining the combustor shell structure. Each panel is configured to include a
panel structure having a surface configured to face the combustor cavity, the surface
of the panel structure configured to receive cooling airflow and a dilution hole in
the surface of the panel structure, the dilution hole to provide airflow for the combustor
cavity. Each panel includes one or more effusion holes downstream of the dilution
hole, wherein the one or more effusion holes are configured to restore cooling airflow
to the surface of the panel structure downstream from dilution hole.
[0013] In one embodiment, the combustor structure is an annular structure including one
or more heat shield panels mounted to an inner diameter structure and outer diameter
structure of the annular structure.
[0014] In one embodiment, the panel structure is configured to be mounted downstream from
a second panel structure, the second panel structure arranged to provide a cooling
air film to the surface.
[0015] In one embodiment, the one or more effusion holes are located in one or more rows,
and wherein each row includes one or more effusion holes.
[0016] In one embodiment, the one or more effusion holes are located in one or more regions
following the dilution hole.
[0017] In one embodiment, the one or more effusion holes are formed with at least one of
a trumpet and cone shape.
[0018] In one embodiment, the one or more effusion holes include at least one pair of effusion
holes angled towards one another.
[0019] In one embodiment, the one or more effusion holes are formed with openings smaller
than an opening of the dilution hole.
[0020] In one embodiment, the combustor includes one or more effusion holes along a trailing
edge of the panel structure and downstream of the dilution hole.
[0021] In one embodiment, the one or more panels line second and third rows of the combustor
shell structure
[0022] According to an embodiment, the present disclosure provides a heat shield for a combustor
of a gas turbine engine, the heat shield comprising: a panel structure having a surface
configured to face a combustor cavity, the surface of the panel structure configured
to receive cooling airflow; a dilution hole in the surface of the panel structure,
the dilution hole to provide airflow for the combustor cavity; and one or more effusion
holes in the panel structure, wherein the one or more effusion holes are downstream
of the dilution hole, wherein the one or more effusion holes are configured to restore
cooling airflow to the surface of the panel structure downstream from dilution hole.
[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the panel structure may be configured to be mounted
downstream from a second panel structure, the second panel structure arranged to provide
a cooling air film to the surface.
[0024] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the one or more effusion holes may be located
in one or more rows, and wherein each row may include one or more effusion holes.
[0025] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the one or more effusion holes may be located
in one or more regions following the dilution hole.
[0026] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the one or more effusion holes may be formed
with at least one of a trumpet and cone shape.
[0027] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the one or more effusion holes may include at
least one pair of effusion holes angled towards one another.
[0028] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the one or more effusion holes may be formed
with openings smaller than an opening of the dilution hole.
[0029] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the heat shield may comprise one or more effusion
holes along a trailing edge of the panel structure and downstream of the dilution
hole.
[0030] According to anther embodiment, the present disclosure provides a combustor of a
gas turbine engine, the combustor comprising: a combustor structure including a combustor
cavity; and one or more panels lining the combustor shell structure, wherein each
panel is configured to include a panel structure having a surface configured to face
the combustor cavity, the surface of the panel structure configured to receive cooling
airflow, a dilution hole in the surface of the panel structure, the dilution hole
to provide airflow for the combustor cavity; and one or more effusion holes downstream
of the dilution hole, wherein the one or more effusion holes are configured to restore
cooling airflow to the surface of the panel structure downstream from dilution hole.
[0031] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the combustor structure may be an annular structure
including one or more heat shield panels mounted to an inner diameter structure and
outer diameter structure of the annular structure.
[0032] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the panel structure may be configured to be mounted
downstream from a second panel structure, the second panel structure arranged to provide
a cooling air film to the surface.
[0033] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the one or more effusion holes may be located
in one or more rows, and wherein each row may include one or more effusion holes.
[0034] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the one or more effusion holes may be located
in one or more regions following the dilution hole.
[0035] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the one or more effusion holes may be formed
with at least one of a trumpet and cone shape.
[0036] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the one or more effusion holes may include at
least one pair of effusion holes angled towards one another.
[0037] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the one or more effusion holes may be formed
with openings smaller than an opening of the dilution hole.
[0038] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the combustor may comprise one or more effusion
holes along a trailing edge of the panel structure and downstream of the dilution
hole.
[0039] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative
to any of the foregoing embodiments, the one or more panels may line second and third
rows of the combustor shell structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] The features, objects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more
apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with
the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout
and wherein:
FIG. 1 depicts a graphical representation of a gas turbine engine according to one
or more embodiments;
FIGs. 2A-2B depict graphical representations a heat shield according to one or more
embodiments;
FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional representation of a heat shield configuration according
to one or more embodiments; and
FIG. 4 depicts a graphical representation of a combustor configuration according to
one or more embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
Overview and Terminology
[0041] One aspect of this disclosure relates to combustor and heat shield configurations
for a gas turbine engine. In one embodiment, configurations are provided to restore
air film cooling to one or more regions of a heat shield where air film cooling has
been disrupted by dilution holes of the heat shield. According to one embodiment,
a heat shield includes one or more effusion holes positioned down stream of a dilution
hole in the heat shield. Effusion holes may be positioned following the dilution hole
and/or along a trailing edge of a panel. Restoration of cooling may be provided by
air flow exiting the effusion holes to provide cooling film to a hot side surface
of the heat shield.
[0042] As used herein, the terms "a" or "an" shall mean one or more than one. The term "plurality"
shall mean two or more than two. The term "another" is defined as a second or more.
The terms "including" and/or "having" are open ended (e.g., comprising). The term
"or" as used herein is to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination.
Therefore, "A, B or C" means "any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and
C; A, B and C". An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination
of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.
[0043] Reference throughout this document to "one embodiment," "certain embodiments," "an
embodiment," or similar term means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic
described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment.
Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification
are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular
features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner on
one or more embodiments without limitation.
Exemplary Embodiments
[0044] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a graphical representation of a gas
turbine engine according to one or more embodiments. In one embodiment, gas turbine
engine
100 includes combustor
105 having an annular structure
110. According to one embodiment, annular structure
110 defines combustor cavity
120. According to another embodiment, annular structure
110 of combustor
105 can include one or more heat shield panels, shown as
115, lining the surfaces of annular structure
110.
[0045] Combustor
105 receives fuel from fuel nozzle
106 for combustion. The gas flow path is shown generally as
107 in combustor cavity
120 of annular structure
110. Gas flow path
107 flows downstream to turbine elements (not shown) of gas turbine engine
100.
[0046] Annular structure
110 includes outer diameter
125 and inner diameter
135. According to one or more embodiments, annular structure
110 includes one or more cooling holes in outer diameter
125 and inner diameter
135 to provide airflow into cavity
120 and which may be configured for cooling heat shield panels
115. Airflow received for combustor
105 is shown generally as
130. According to one embodiment, airflow received by combustor
105 and passing through annular structure
110 is shown as
140. Airflow
140 may be employed by heat shield panels
115 to provide cooling flow to a surface of the panels, shown as
136. According to one embodiment, dilution holes in heat shield panels
115 may disrupt cooling flow
136. As such, heat shield panels
115 may be configured with one or more effusion holes to restore disrupted cooling flow.
[0047] FIGs. 2A-2B depict graphical representations a heat shield according to one or more
embodiments. FIG. 2A depicts a graphical representation of heat shield
200 including panels
2051-n. In one embodiment, heat shield
200 includes a plurality of rows of panels
2051-n, each panel relating to a panel structure having a surface
206 configured to face a combustor cavity (e.g., combustor cavity
120). The surface
206 of each panel structure may be configured to receive cooling airflow. According to
one embodiment, the direction of the cooling airflow across the hot-side of panels
2051-n is shown generally as
207.
[0048] FIG. 2A shows four rows of panels
2051-n. Panel
2051 may be positioned nearest to a combustor bulkhead and may be associated with a first
row of heat shield panels of a combustor. According to one embodiment, panels
2051-n may receive airflow to cool the surface of each panel. According to an exemplary
embodiment, and as will be described in more detail below, cooling airflow for panels
2051-n may be provided by way of cooling openings in a combustor shell and from openings
between one or more panels. By way of example, cooling air for panel
2052 may be emitted from an opening in heat shield
200 between trailing edge
208 of panel
2051 and leading edge
210 of panel
2052. Similarly, cooling air for panel
2053 may be emitted from an opening in heat shield
200 between trailing edge
211 of panel
2052 and leading edge
212 of panel
2053. In a similar fashion, cooling air for panel
2054 may be emitted from an opening in heat shield
200 between trailing edge
213 of panel
2053 and leading edge
214 of panel
2054. References to openings between leading and trailing edges of panels may related
to one or more gaps, machined structures or pathways relative to panels of heat shield
200. Although referenced as heat shield 200, it should be appreciated that panels
2051-n may each be a heat shield.
[0049] Panel
2052 includes dilution holes shown as
220 and panel
2053 includes dilution holes shown as
230. Dilution holes
220 and
230 are openings in surface
206 of the panels
2051-n, the dilution holes can provide airflow for combustor chamber. According to one embodiment,
effusion holes are provided in heat shield
200 in one or more locations to restore disruption of cooling airflow across the surface
of panels
2051-n. The effusion holes may also provide cooling to hot spots or regions of the panels
that can experience distress and wear to the hot gas environment.
[0050] According to one embodiment, panels
2051-n include one or more effusion holes downstream of dilution holes, such as dilution
holes
220 and
230. The one or more effusion holes are configured to restore cooling airflow to the
surface of the panel structure downstream from dilution hole. According to another
embodiment, effusion holes may be provided in other and/or additional rows of heat
shield
200 for the second and third rows of panels
2051-n.
[0051] FIG. 2A shows one or more configurations of effusion hole clusters according to an
exemplary embodiment. Panel
2052 includes cluster
225 of effusion holes
226 downstream of dilution holes
220. According to another embodiment, the trailing edge of each panel of panels
2051-n can include effusion holes. Panel
2052 includes effusion holes
227 along trailing edge
211. According to one embodiment, effusion holes
226 and effusion holes
227 can restore cooling flow for surface
206 of panel
2052 and/or downstream of panel
2052 to restore cooling flow disrupted by dilution holes
220. Panel
2053 includes clusters
240 of effusion holes
245 downstream of dilution holes
230. Panel
2053 includes effusion holes
235 in cluster
222 along trailing edge
213. According to one embodiment, effusion holes
245 and effusion holes
246 can restore cooling flow for surface
206 of panel
2053 that has been disrupted by dilution holes
230. The location, amount, and configuration of effusion holes
226, 227, 235 and
245 in FIG. 2A is exemplary. As will be discussed in FIG. 2B, effusion holes may be placed
in a number of locations along panels
2051-n.
[0052] According to one embodiment, effusion holes
226, 227, 235 and
245 may be formed or shaped to direct airflow out of panels
2051-n in a particular direction or directions. By way of example, effusion holes
226, 227, 235 and
245 of panels
2051-n may be trumpet or cone shaped. Similarly, effusion holes
226, 227, 235 and
245 of panels
2051-n may be arranged at similar or different penetration/exit angles to control the direction
or airflow exiting effusion holes
226,
227, 235 and
245. In certain embodiments, heat shield
200 may include a panel, such as panel
205n, that includes dilution holes
255 without effusion holes.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 2B, a graphical representation is provided for a configuration
of a heat shield panel according to one or more embodiments. Heat shield
260 includes one or more exemplary regions, such as regions
265 and
266, for placement of one or more effusion holes. Regions
265 and
266 are down stream of dilution holes
225 and
230, respectively. Effusion holes in regions
265 and
266 may be configured to receive cooling airflow from holes in a combustor shell and
passages or space between a combustor shell and heat shield panels.
[0054] FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional representation of a heat shield configuration according
to one or more embodiments. In one embodiment, a heat shield arrangement for a gas
turbine engine includes a plurality of panels, or rows of panels that line a combustor.
The panels may line inner and/or outer structures of the combustor. FIG. 3 depicts
leading panel
301, second panel
302, and third panel
303. According to one embodiment, one or more of panels
301,
302, and
303 are configured to allow for cooling flow to be provided to a hot-side of the panels
and to allow for restoration of cooling flow to a hot-side of the panels when disrupted.
Panels
301,
302, and
303 are shown relative to a combustor structure
305 (e.g., combustor shell, support structure, etc.).
[0055] According to one embodiment, combustor structure
305 includes one or more impingement holes to provide cooling to the back side of panels
301,
302, and
303. The impingement holes may also provide cooling airflow for the hot-side or panels
301,
302, and
303. In addition, the impingement holes may provide airflow for effusion holes of panels
301,
302, and
303. Airflow may be provided to the surface of a panel, such as hot side
304 of panel
302. By way of example, in certain embodiments, combustor structure
305 includes opening
306 to provide airflow
307. Airflow
307 may be emitted between panels
301 and
302 to cool the hot side
304. Airflow provided by the impingement holes may supply cooling air to gaps between
panels and to effusion holes of panels
301,
302, and
303.
[0056] Combustor structure
305 may also include one or more structures
310 to provide dilution air
312 via dilution hole
311 in panel
302. Dilution air
312 can disrupt cooling air
307 from providing a cooling film downstream of dilution hole
311. According to one embodiment, panels, such as panel
302 may include one or more effusion holes, such as effusion holes
330. Effusion holes
330 are down stream of dilution hole
311 and provide cooling air
331 to regions of panel
302 on the hot side where the cooling has been disrupted. Cooling air
331 may provide an air film to hot side
304. In certain embodiments, cooling air
331 may be provided by openings in combustor structure, such as opening
306 and opening
325. Panel
302 may similarly include one or more effusion holes, shown as
335, at or near the trailing edge of panel
302 to provide a cooling film to the surface of panel
302 in areas that may not receive adequate cooling and/or regions that may be susceptible
to distress.
[0057] According to another embodiment, effusion holes may be employed in a plurality of
heat shield panels. Airflow may be provided to the surface of a panel, such as hot
side
336 of panel
303. By way of example, in certain embodiments, combustor structure
305 includes opening
325 to provide airflow
326. Airflow
326 may be emitted between panels
302 and
303 to cool the hot side
336. Combustor structure
305 may also include structure
315 to provide dilution air
317 via dilution hole
316 in panel
303. Dilution air
317 can disrupt cooling air
326 from providing a cooling film downstream of dilution hole
316. According to one embodiment, panel
303 may include one or more effusion holes, such as effusion holes
340 to provide cooling air to regions of panel
303 cooling film provided by airflow
326 has been disrupted.
[0058] In one embodiment, impingement holes of combustor structure
305 may be provided in one or more locations of the combustor structure shell. According
to one embodiment, combustor structure
305 includes openings, such as openings
306 and
325. Openings
306 and
325 provide airflow for cooling the backside of panels
301,
302, and
303. In addition, openings in combustor structure
305, such as openings
306 and
325, provide airflow for one or more effusion holes of panels
301,
302, and
303. In certain embodiments, openings or impingement holes, such as openings
306 and
325, in combustor structure
305 provide airflow upstream and downstream of the impingement hole. By way of example,
opening
325 may provide airflow
326 which provides upstream airflow
327a and downstream airflow
327b. At least a portion of upstream airflow
327a may merge with airflow
307 to provide cooling airflow for hot side
304. In certain embodiment, upstream airflow
327a may exit one or more effusion holes
330 of panel
302 as airflow
331. Downstream airflow
327b may provide cooling airflow for hot side of panel
303. Impingement holes in combustor structure
305 may be placed in one or more locations. An exemplary region of combustor structure
305 that may include impingement holes is shown as
328. Impingement holes in combustor structure
305 may collocated with effusion holes
330 and/or located downstream of dilution hole
311.
[0059] FIG. 4 depicts a graphical representation of a combustor configuration according
to one or more embodiments. Combustor
400 is shown as a partial representation of an annular structure. Combustor
400 includes outer diameter structure
401, inner diameter structure
402. According to one embodiment, a heat shield mounted to surface
402 may receive cooling airflow
410. According to one embodiment, inner diameter structure
402 includes dilution hole
405. Dilution hole
405 may provide airflow
411 to the combustor cavity. Airflow 411 may disrupt cooling airflow
410, as shown by
415. According to one embodiment, one or more effusion holes
420 may be positioned downstream of dilution hole
405, such as in areas
425. Effusion holes
420 may provide cooling airflow
426 to restore the film cooling downstream of dilution hole
405. According to one embodiment, effusion holes may be angled as shown as
430 to provide cooling airflow in one or more directions downstream of dilution hole
405. By way of example, at least one of the opening and or effusion hole structure itself
of effusions holes
420 may be angled such that the resulting airflow
426 and
430 exit to one or more directions to provide a cooling film to surface
403. In addition the angle of airflow
426 and
430 may be associated with and/or based on cooling airflow
435 that continues past dilution hole
405.
[0060] While this disclosure has been particularly shown and described with references to
exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the
scope of the claimed embodiments. The following clauses set out features of the present
disclosure which may not presently be claimed but which may form basis for future
amendments and/or a divisional application.
- 1. A heat shield for a combustor of a gas turbine engine, the heat shield comprising:
a panel structure having a surface configured to face a combustor cavity, the surface
of the panel structure configured to receive cooling airflow;
a dilution hole in the surface of the panel structure, the dilution hole to provide
airflow for the combustor cavity; and
one or more effusion holes in the panel structure, wherein the one or more effusion
holes are downstream of the dilution hole, wherein the one or more effusion holes
are configured to restore cooling airflow to the surface of the panel structure downstream
from dilution hole.
- 2. The heat shield of clause 1, wherein the panel structure is configured to be mounted
downstream from a second panel structure, the second panel structure arranged to provide
a cooling air film to the surface.
- 3. The heat shield of clause 1, wherein the one or more effusion holes are located
in one or more rows, and wherein each row includes one or more effusion holes.
- 4. The heat shield of clause 1, wherein the one or more effusion holes are located
in one or more regions following the dilution hole.
- 5. The heat shield of clause 1, wherein the one or more effusion holes are formed
with at least one of a trumpet and cone shape.
- 6. The heat shield of clause 1, wherein the one or more effusion holes include at
least one pair of effusion holes angled towards one another.
- 7. The heat shield of clause 1, wherein the one or more effusion holes are formed
with openings smaller than an opening of the dilution hole.
- 8. The heat shield of clause 1, further comprising one or more effusion holes along
a trailing edge of the panel structure and downstream of the dilution hole.
- 9. A combustor of a gas turbine engine, the combustor comprising:
a combustor structure including a combustor cavity; and
one or more panels lining the combustor shell structure, wherein each panel is configured
to include
a panel structure having a surface configured to face the combustor cavity, the surface
of the panel structure configured to receive cooling airflow,
a dilution hole in the surface of the panel structure, the dilution hole to provide
airflow for the combustor cavity; and
one or more effusion holes downstream of the dilution hole, wherein the one or more
effusion holes are configured to restore cooling airflow to the surface of the panel
structure downstream from dilution hole.
- 10. The combustor of clause 9, wherein the combustor structure is an annular structure
including one or more heat shield panels mounted to an inner diameter structure and
outer diameter structure of the annular structure.
- 11. The combustor of clause 9, wherein the panel structure is configured to be mounted
downstream from a second panel structure, the second panel structure arranged to provide
a cooling air film to the surface.
- 12. The combustor of clause 9, wherein the one or more effusion holes are located
in one or more rows, and wherein each row includes one or more effusion holes.
- 13. The combustor of clause 9, wherein the one or more effusion holes are located
in one or more regions following the dilution hole.
- 14. The combustor of clause 9, wherein the one or more effusion holes are formed with
at least one of a trumpet and cone shape.
- 15. The combustor of clause 9, wherein the one or more effusion holes include at least
one pair of effusion holes angled towards one another.
- 16. The combustor of clause 9, wherein the one or more effusion holes are formed with
openings smaller than an opening of the dilution hole.
- 17. The combustor of clause 9, further comprising one or more effusion holes along
a trailing edge of the panel structure and downstream of the dilution hole.
- 18. The combustor of clause 9, wherein the one or more panels line second and third
rows of the combustor shell structure.